Oak Ridge High School is putting the finishing touches on its field of dreams.

After years of waiting - since the 2008 bond passed - the school's baseball team, the War Eagles, and its fans will soon enjoy an upgraded facility.

With the guidance of a new coach, Mike Pirtle, a better field and improved lighting, the team is ready for its spring season.

"Our baseball field has needed renovation for a while," principal Tommy Johnson said. "We're extremely excited with the new amenities and coach Pirtle; we have high expectations for the season."

The main issue was the turf, Johnson said.

"Anytime we had any rain, the field wasn't playable," he said. "We also didn't have the seating capacity."

Conroe Independent School District approved the first phase of the project in August, reserving $357,945 for replacing the outfield, adding new sod and correcting drainage problems.

Phase two was approved in November for $852,800 - to further address drainage and erosion, and also to add new lighting, bleachers and dug-outs.

"We've completely redone the outfield - added drains, good soil and leveled the land," Johnson said. "Recently, we had four inches of rain, and we were able to use the field the next day."

Bobby Burns, director of planning and construction, said the new lighting meets current standards for upgrades.

"The process in this instance would be to take out the old and put in new," he said. "Over time, to simply maintain is not enough, and replacement is then the answer."

Burns said the field was originally built in 1980.

"Overall what you will see will look brighter, greener and basically new," he added.

He said new bleachers are Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible and will allow for additional seating capacity.

"Erosion issues on the infield also occur over time - due to weather, wear and tear," he said.

Johnson said the new design also called for moving the dugout, which was too close to home plate.

"We moved it back for safety," he said.

New and improved netting was also installed between the softball and baseball fields to protect spectators from foul balls, he said.

Burns explained that the old netting was showing signs of wear and presented a safety concern. "Netting is a concern to keep the balls from injuring anyone," he said, adding that a foul ball could hit someone.

Johnson said the last step will be to install custom-made benches for the bleachers.

The booster club raised funds to underwrite construction of the 65-by-80 foot batting cage that will be erected atop the pad.

Booster Club president Bryan Morytko said the cage and bullpen areas will cost around $40,000.

The club plans to pay off the cost over time, and donations are still being accepted for the project, he added.

The batting cage will have a steel roof to protect players from rain and sun, as well as three batting tunnels to allow multiple players to warm up at once.

"This building is going to be here for the next 20 years," Morytko said. "It's fun to be a part of a project that's going to impact kids for so many years."

Morytko said the renovations were essential.

"The field was built, and built well, but it wasn't touched after that," he said.

Morytko said the new facilities will give the baseball team more time to practice - and he believes the students will be excited about playing in the new and improved field.

"When they look back at their field, these kids will have a lot of pride in their team and their school; it helps their game," he said.

District athletic director Danny Long said the efforts of the district and the booster club have come together to set the Oak Ridge War Eagles up for success.

"We have a new coach, a new facility and tremendous support from the booster club," he said. "We're very grateful to Conroe ISD for upgrading the facility for the tremendous support of our baseball team."